Woman charged in death of Lufkin school teacher

Suspect's companion committed suicide

Published: Sunday, January 13, 2002

AMARILLO (AP)  A day after a man wanted in the death of a Lufkin school teacher committed suicide, his companion was arraigned on a charge of capital murder.

Bond was set at $1 million Saturday for DeAnna Dawn Shepard, 23, charged in the death of 55-year-old teacher Fant Allison Smart. An additional bond of $100,000 bond was set on a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, said Randall County Justice of the Peace Phil Woodall.

Authorities were looking for Shepard and Daniel Lee Pugh, 20, Friday near Canyon. They were spotted by sheriff's deputies, who set down spikes on a Randall County roadway.

The white GMC Sierra pickup truck Pugh was driving crashed sideways through a barbed-wire fence, coming to rest in a small pasture near a barn. Pugh apparently shot himself, and Shepard surrendered.

Smart had been shot several times. His body was found with his arms and legs bound and dumped in a small creek Monday in Trinity County. The body was weighted with cinderblocks.

Earlier Monday, police responded to a fire at Smart's home. Authorities said Smart's vehicle was discovered missing at the time.

Smart appeared to have suffered blunt trauma to the head and multiple gunshot wounds.

Authorities from the Angelina County Sheriff's office were en route to Canyon on Saturday to pick up Shepard.